Schizophrenia Daily News Blog

Lilly to Pay Up to $500 Million to Settle Zyprexa Lawsuits

The New York Times reported today that Eli Lilly will pay up to $500 million to settle approximately 18,000 lawsuits from people who claimed they developed diabetes or other diseases after taking Zyprexa, Lilly's antipsychotic medication used for treatment of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.

The NY Times further stated that

"Including earlier settlements over Zyprexa, Lilly has now agreed to pay at least $1.2 billion to 28,500 people who claim they were injured by the drug. At least 1,200 suits are still pending, the company said. About 20 million people worldwide have taken Zyprexa since its introduction in 1996.

The settlement covers cases filed in state and federal courts by 14 plaintiffs’ law firms or groups of firms, Lilly said. The federal suits have been overseen by a judge in Brooklyn, Jack B. Weinstein of the Eastern District of New York.

The settlement will not affect civil or criminal investigations pending over Zyprexa from state attorneys general and federal prosecutors, which are continuing."

The Times, and other newspapers, reported that the internal documents indicate that Lilly’s own clinical trials found that 16 percent of people taking Zyprexa gained more than 66 pounds after a year on the drug, a far higher figure than the company disclosed to doctors.

Read the full story: Lilly to Pay Up to $500 Million to Settle Claims (Free Registration required)

Related Reading: Mother Wonders if Psychosis Drug Zyprexa Helped Kill Son (NY Times, Free registration required)

Additional reading:

Eli Lilly Said to Have Down-played Zyprexa Diabetes Risks

Zyprexa Settlement on Diabetes Warning